Fabric cleaning machine



P w; S. M =LELLAND, JR I 2,254,691

FABRIC CLEANING MACHINE Filed March 4, 1941 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS WlTNEBS 2 Sheets-Shut 1 Sept. 2, 1941' w. s. MacLELLAND, JR 2,254,691 FABRIC CLEQQNING MACHINE Filed March 4, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS WITNESS Patented Sept. 2, 1941 gift)?! 800m UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to fabric cleaning machines of the spotting type, and its general object is to provide a machine that is primarily designed to materially expedite the removal of perspiration, soil spots, stain, discolorations and the like from garments and fabric material, by the use of steam, water, and chemical solvents, either of which or the combination of two or all can be applied and are confined under pressure directly to the area to be cleaned, and the cleaned area is left substantially dry and free from wrinkles and odor.

An important object is to provide a spotting machine that includes a pair of companion members, one of which is movably mounted and cooperates with the other to provide a leakproof chamber for receiving and holding the area of fabric to be cleaned in a taut condition in the path of the cleaning elements, and the latter are forced into the chamber in a manner to set up a whirling action against the fabric, as well as through the same, thus resulting in thoroughly and completely removing all traces of foreign matter from the fabric.

A further object is to provide a fabric spotting machine that is easy to operate, simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and extremely eflicient in operation, use and service.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing-s and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of the machine which forms the subject matter of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the machine and illustrates several positions of the movable chamber forming member or section and its associated members and pipe lines leading thereto, in full and dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 4-4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken approximate- 137 on line 55 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating the foot pedal and its associated members.

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be noted that the machine in the form shown includes an upright rectangular supporting frame made up of angle iron corner members I, upper, lower and intermediate connecting members 2, 3 and 4 and an intermediate cross member 5 bridging two parallel intermediate members. The frame may likewise include angularly disposed brace members and may be shaped other than that shown, as well as made from any suitable material.

Fixed to the frame is a flat top 6 that may have the upper connecting members 2 integral therewith and secured to and rising centrally from the top 6 is a T-coupling I having mounted on and fixed to the upper end thereof, the stationary chamber forming member 8 that is in the form of a shallow bowl and has a gasket 9 of elastic or like material fixed to its upper periphery, as best shown in Figure 3. The stationary member or bowl 8 is covered by a piece l0 of fabric material and is held thereon by a removable clamping band II which may be a coil spring draw cord, or the like to facilitate ready removal and application of the piece In with respect to the bowl, as will be apparent.

Connected to and extending rearwardly from the T-coupling I is a horizontally disposed pipe section l2 having its rear end connected to a T-coupling l3 which is fixed to the top 6, and the T-coupling I3 has an upright member l4 secured thereto and rising therefrom. The member l4 may be a pipe with its ends plugged, as shown, and the T-coupling I3 is likewise plugged, as well as has a gauge I5 connected thereto, for a purpose which will be later apparent.

Pivotally connected to the upper portion of the upright I4 is the rear portion of a lever I! in the form of a frame and which includes a clamping ring I8 and a handle IS. The companion chamber forming member 20 which is likewise in the form of a shallow bowl is carried by the lever I1, and for that purpose the bowl 20 has fixed thereto and extending centrally therefrom a tube 2| having an outwardly flared inner end 22 opening into the bowl and secured to the tube at its juncture with the bowl is a ferrule 23 for receiving the clamping ring l8, to fixedly associate the bowl 20 with the lever, so that the bowl 211 is movable with respect to the bowl 8 and cooperates therewith when mounted thereon, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, to provide a leakproof chamber, in that the bowl 20 likewise has a gasket 24 secured thereto about its periphery for cooperation with the gasket 9 to provide the leakproot connection, as the gasket 24 is also made from elastic material or any other suitable ma.- terial that will not damage fabric of a garment or the like when disposed between the bowls.

The bowl 20 is held in its respective positions as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, by a coil spring 25 which has one end connected to an arm 25 secured to and extending at an angle with respect to the lever H at the pivot thereof, and the opposite end of the spring is connecte gl to the gauge pipe, with the result it will be seen that the spring and arm 26 acts as toggle means, so that when the arm 26 is moved past dead center, the spring will urge the bowl 26 to its fully opened and closed positions as well as will hold the same accordingly.

Secured to and rising from the intermediate cross member are three valves indicated respectively by the reference numerals 21, 28 and 29, and the valves shown are of the spring closed sliding core type, but they may be of the disk type or any other, suitable for the purpose. In any event, the stems 3B of the cores are shown as depending therefrom and disposed in bores in connecting members indicated respectively by the reference numerals 3|, 32 and 33 that are slidably mounted on the stems for opening the valves against the action of the springs which normally hold the valves in closed D sition, as shown in Figure 4. The connecting members have threaded therein and depending therefrom operating rods 34 and the end rods have their lower ends fixed to a cross head 35, while the center rod which is likewise fixed to the cross head by a set screw or the like, extends through the cross head and has its lower end secured to one end of the shank 36 of a foot pedal 31.

The foot pedal 31 is of course mounted for rocking movement, and for that purpose I provide a bracket arm 38 secured to the supporting frame adjacent to the bottom thereof and extending laterally from the arm 38 is a shaft 39 having the bearing 40 of the shank 36 slidably and rotatably mounted thereon. It will be noted from Figure 4 that the stem receiving bores of the connecting members 3| and 33 are of greater depth than the bore of the member 32, and by that construction it will be obvious that the valve 28 is moved to open position prior to the time the valves 21 and 29 are moved to their open positions. In other words initial pressure upon the pedal 31 will open the valve 28 and further pressure will open the valves 21 and 29.

The pedal 31 is provided with ratchet means for holding the same in its respective positions, and in the form shown, the ratchet means includes an angle bracket 4| having its lower end fixed to the floor as shown in Figure l and formed on the upper end portion of the bracket is a pair of superimposed teeth 42 and 43. A toothed member 44 is adjustably secured to the bracket 4| with its tooth disposed below the tooth 43, and the member 44 which is movable along the height of the angle bracket 4| is held in adjusted positions by a bolt and nut connection, as shown in Figure 1. When the pedal 31 is engaged with the upper tooth 42 the valves 21, 28 and 29 are in closed position, but when the pedal 31 is moved for engagement with the tooth 43 the valve 28 is moved and held in open position, and when the pedal is moved for engagement with the tooth of the member 44, the valves 21 and 29 are moved and held in open position, and at that time, it will of course be understood that the valve 28 is likewise open.

Disposed vertically and suitably fixed within the frame is a steam reservoir 45 of the tubular type having a supply pipe 46 connected thereto and leading from a suitable source of steam. The reservoir has outlet connections 41 and 48 leading to the valves 21 and 28 respectively and the outlet connection 41 is provided with a hand valve 49 for controlling the passage of steam to the valve 21. Connected to the steam reservoir adjacent to its lower end is one end of a pipe 56 that has its opposite end connected to the valve 28 and the pipe 50 has a hand valve 5| therein for controlling the passage of wet steam to the valve 29. An inlet pipe 52 leading from a suitable source of water supply under pressure is connected to the pipe 50 and the inlet pipe not only has a hand valve 53 therein but a check valve 54 between the source and the valve 53.

Extending from the outlet of the valve 29 is a pipe line 55 that leads to the tube 2| of the chamber or bowl member 20 and included in the pipe line 55 are flexible tubular connections 56. The outer connection 56 has extending therefrom a pipe section 51 having a reduced and flattened outlet end providing a nozzle 58 which extends within the tube 2|, in a manner, so that the axis of the nozzle constitutes a continuation of a chord of the tube, as best shown in Figure 5. By that arrangement, it will be obvious that as the cleaning elements pass into the tube 2| they are given a whirling motion, due to the fact that they are caused to follow the curvature of the tube 2|. Extending from the outlet end of the valve 21 is a pipe line 59 that likewise includes a flexible tubular connection '60 having mounted in the outlet end thereof a relatively narrow nozzle tube 6| that passes through the pipe section 51 and has its outlet portion 62 disposed centrally within and along the length of the section 51 and directed toward the nozzle to provide an ejector action, as will be apparent.

Suitably fixed to the frame and mounted therein is a container 63 that provides a reservoir for chemical solvents and the container which preferably has an open upper end is provided with a conical bottom wall from which extends an outlet connection provided with a valve 64 and a petcock at the lower end thereof for drainage, as will be apparent. Extending from the outlet connection is a pipe line 65 having a check valve 66 therein and a sight coupling 61, .the

* latter having connected thereto through the medium of a flexible tube 68, a nozzle tube 69 passing through the pipe line 55 and terminating centrally therein, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, so that an ejector action will be set up to draw the contents of the container 63 through the pipe line 65 to the pipe line 55, when the valve 64 is in open position, as will be apparent. A sight coupling 10 is preferably provided in the pipe line 55, between the tubular connections 56, as clearly shown in Figure 2.

Extending from the central valve 28 to an ejector 1| is a pipe connection 12, and the ejector 1| has an outlet pipe 13 extending to the atmosphere. Secured to and rising from the ejector 1| is an upright pipe 14 that is connect-- ed to the T-coupling 1, and by having the ejector 1| associated with the T-coupling 1 which has the chamber forming member or bowl 8 mounted thereon, it will be obvious that a suction action is created in the bowl 8 when steam is passing through the ejector 1| and the suction action forms a partial vacuum in the chamber provided by the bowls 8 and 20 when the latter is disposed in closed position, as shown in Figure 2.

From the above description and the disclosure in the drawings, it is believed that the operation of my machine will be obvious, but it might be mentioned that when it is desired to wash, clean or remove a spot, stain or the like, from ILA] .Qo'. tLUlU TREK. 11-46 AP ARAT *3 68 Search 8.00m

fabric, the soiled area is mounted upon the bowl 8 and clamped thereon in taut condition by disposin the bowl 20 in closed position. The pedal 31 is hen pressed for movement from the notch 42 to the notch 43 to open the valve 28 for the passage of steam through the ejector ll to create a vacuum within the chamber provided by the bowls 8 and 20. Further pressure upon the pedal 3'! for disposing the same in the notch of the member 44 will open the valves 21 and 29 for the passage of steam, water and solvent under pressure to the cleaning chamber, to act upon and for passage through the soiled area therein; assuming of course that the hand volves 49, 53 and 64 are in open position, but either of the cleaning elements or agents, as well as wet steam may be passed to the cleaning chamber, as each is controlled by a hand valve, the valve for the wet steam being in the pipe 50 and is indicated by the reference numeral 5| as previously set forth.

The cleaning elements are likewise mixed with air before reaching the cleaning chamber, and air for that purpose is drawn into the tube 2| through a flexible tube that has one end connected to the tube 2| and its opposite end preferably extends into the container 63, but of course above the level of solvent therein. By disposing the inlet end of the tube 15 within the container 63, it will be obvious that any solvent remaining in the tube 2| and bowl will drain through the tube 15 to the container 63, when the bowl 20 is moved to its fully open position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2.

It will be further obvious that when the material has been thoroughly cleaned, the foot pedal can be operated to a position to allow the valves 2'! and 29 to close, while the valve 28 remains open, so that the suction action created by the ejector H will be continued until the fabric is substantially dry.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A fabric spotting machine comprising a pair of members shaped and cooperating with each other to provide a cleaning chamber, one of said members being mounted for movement and to be seated on the other member to clamp fabric between said members, an inlet tube for the movable member, means for conducting cleaning agents under pressure to the tube and including a nozzle extending within said tube in a manner, so that the axis of said nozzle constitutes a continuation of a chord of said tube to give the cleaning agents a whirling motion within the chamber, means providing suction in said chamber for drawing the cleaning agents through the fabric and to dry the latter, and means for controlling the conducting means and the suction means.

2. A fabric spotting machine comprising a lower stationary member, an upper movable member to be seated on the lower member to provide a cleaning chamber and to clamp fabric between said members, a steam reservoir, an ejector having means of communication with the reservoir and the lower member to provide suction within the chamber, tubular inlet means for the chamber and carried by the upper member, said inlet means having communication with the atmosphere for the passage of air within the chamber, means for conducting water under pressure to the inlet means and including a nozzle extending within said inlet means in a manner, so that the axis of the nozzle constitutes a continuation of a chord of said inlet means, means for conducting steam from the reservoir to the water conducting means and associated therewith to set up an ejector action, means for conducting chemical solvents to the water conducting means and associated therewith to set up an ejector action, and valves for controlling each of the conducting means and the means of communication between the ejector and the reservoir.

3. A fabric spotting machine comprising a lower stationary member, an upper movable member to be seated on the lower member to provide a cleaning chamber and to clamp fabric between said members, a steam reservoir, an ejector having means of communication with the reservoir and the lower member to provide suction within the chamber, inlet means for the chamber and carried by the upper member, a flexible tube connected to the inlet means for the passage of air within the chamber, means for conducting water under pressure to the inlet means, means for conducting steam from the reservoir to the water conducting means and associated therewith to set up an ejector action, a container for chemical solvents, means for conducting the solvents from the container to the water conducting means, said flexible tube extending into the container for draining the contents of the upper member therein when said upper member is moved to a fully open position, and valves for controlling each of the conducting means and the means of communication between the ejector and the reservoir.

4. A fabric spotting machine comprising a lower stationary member, an upper movable member to be seated on the lower member to provide a cleaning chamber and to clamp fabric between said members, a steam reservoir, an ejector having means of communication between the reservoir and the lower member to provide suction within the chamber, means for conducting water under pressure to the upper member, means for conducting steam from the reservoir to the water conducting means, means for conducting chemical solvents to the water conducting means, a spring closed valve in each of said conducting means for the water and steam, a spring closed valve for the means of communication between the ejector and the reservoir for (ontrolling the ejector, a foot pedal, a stem for each valve, a rod for each stem, a cross head having the rods secured thereto for movement thereof in unison, one of said rods being associated with the pedal, and means connecting said rods to the stems for operating the ejector controlling valve independently of or in unison with the other valves.

WALTER S. MACLEILAND, JR. 

